MISSION TO ASHANTEE 
5 
political objects of the Mission, in their instructions, which I submit 
in explanation. 
" In order to enable you to redeem the promise to the King of 
Ashantee (and as we are sanguine in our hopes of the good that 
may result from it), we send you sundry articles as presents for 
him, to which you may add such others from the public stores as 
you may deem desirable, provided they will not materially increase 
the expense. The Committee are extremely anxious (and in this 
respect the wishes of all classes of people in this country go with 
them) that no exertions should be spared to become better ac- 
quainted with the Interior of Africa ; and we consider the existing 
state of things to be most favourable for undertaking an explo- 
ratory Mission into the dominions of the King of Ashantee. If, 
therefore, nothing shall have transpired in the interim of this 
dispatch being received by you, to make the measure objection- 
able, we wish you to obtain permission from the King to send an 
Embassy to his capital : if granted, you will select three Gentlemen 
(one of them from the medical department*) for that service ; and 
let them be accompanied by a respectable escort, you giving them 
the fullest instructions for their government. In particular, it will 
be necessary for them to observe, and report upon, the nature of 
the country ; its soil and products ; the names, and distances, and 
the latitude and longitude of the principal places ; and its most 
remarkable natural objects : the appearance, distinguishing cha- 
racters, and manners of the natives ; their reUgion, laws, customs, 
and forms of government, as far as they can be ascertained ; and 
by whom each place is governed. When at Ashantee, they should 
* We recommend his being well supplied with dressings, &c. for wounds, and bruises^ 
so that he may be able to assist any natives whom he may meet with requiring his aid : 
services of this sort give Negroes an exalted idea of white men, and are always gratefully 
remembered. 
